Austin Sibley

Austin Sibley crafts four wonderfully tight and concise indie pop songs constructed from magically emotive melodies that evoke a feeling of wistful meandering inside the tight songcraft. Each song on Singles Vol. 1 falls into the pop song sweet spot of two-and-a-half to four minutes without a single wasted or underthought second. The level of care Austin Sibley puts into each of these somewhat traditionally set up indie pop songs give them the feeling of a perfect little trip into a distinct yet cohesive musical space.
 
With songs about tough days, separation, and powering through, Singles Vol. 1 doesn’t push into any uncharted indie pop lyrical territory, but Sibley’s attention to detail and obvious patience crafting their melodies, pacing, and delivery make these feel like very fresh takes on the themes. The groovy organ-filled fourth track, “Big Wheel Keeps on Turning” is an exception with its discussion of social ignorance and impending destruction, but ultimately fades out before any meaningful conclusion to the idea (which feels like an artistic choice hinting at the lack of solution to the problem). 
 
Due to the expert production and restrained compositions it is easy to overlook the stellar musicianship on first listen. Each instrument’s part is doing exactly what it needs to and refrains from fighting for space in the song, which is no small feat: it is apparent that Austin Sibley has the musical skill to overplay at will. The beautifully dirty yet restrained guitar solo on the first track “Another One of Those Days” is a prime example of this skill and restraint in superb balance.
 
The hard work Austin Sibley puts in on Singles Vol. 1. pays off. This attention to detail and patience with finding the perfect parts and sounds elevates Singles Vol. 1 well above the standard indie pop fare. These songs aren’t just superbly crafted though, they also have the emotive content to warrant the attention.

The consistent attention to detail in these well-crafted songs makes Singles Vol. 1 sound like more than just a collection of singles: these songs belong together. Perhaps the next release will be the beginning of an album. This is an enticing glimpse into the lush musical world of Austin Sibley.